Crows fly off with the spoils

Encouraging performance against last year’s Southern League Division One Central winners

A crowd of 114 witnessed a highly competitive game that was certainly a game of two halves.

The home side started strongly – finding more space/allowed more space - taking the game to the visitors.

Within ten minutes keeper Greg Marsh had been beaten twice from distance – with two firm shots from outside the box – on 7 mins from James Potton and 2 mins later from Martel Powell – not the start ‘the ‘Scholars’ planned for what is normally a tight, hard fought game against the ‘Crows’.

Greg Marsh was much the busier keeper making some good saves.

In response late in the first half a free kick from Billy Lobjoit had the keeper punching from under the top let hand corner of his goal to push away a good effort.

Half time 2-0

Words of encouragement from the management team saw an improved start to the second half but on 53 mins a challenge resulted in a penalty for the home side – which fortunately the taker Scott Bridges fired high and wide of the right hand post.

A turning point? – as the visitors began to get more into the game.

Lee O’Leary played in Evandro Delgado who then squared back to the same player whose shot then rebounded back from the crossbar with the home keeper well beaten and cleared for a corner. The resultant corner taken by Billy Lobjoit was headed home by Eoin Casey in the six yard box to reduce the arrears on 55 mins.

Then 3 mins later and an under hit back pass allowed Evandro Delgado to nip in and lob the keeper and see the ball home to level the scores.

Will Wambeek cleared off the line but to be fair the visitors were in the dominance and looked to have snatched the win in the last minute when George Nicholas played the ball across the box for sub Femi Ogunsola to see his shot rebound off the right hand post.

In added on time a rare attack from the home side saw a ball in from the right elude the defence and was slotted home by Scott Bridges to atone for his penalty miss.

FT 3-2

Overall an encouraging performance which augers well for the coming league season.